Max Holloway has carved out a huge legacy for himself in the 145-pound division. But it looks like the last sight of him in the weight class he helped build will be a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria. His title loss at the UFC 308 pay-per-view (PPV) headliner marked his fourth failed bid at the gold. Now, away from the title equation, Holloway finds solace among the lightweights.
Don’t let the name be misguiding — the 155lbers are anything but ‘light.’ The convoluted division houses the most diverse and hard-hitting talent pool ever. Holloway has previously fought there twice, losing an exciting decision to Dustin Poirier in 2019. Five years later, he won the “BMF” belt at the 155-pound mark with his clock-defying all-time knockout against Justin Gaethje. Right now, that’s the goal.
We’re on to bigger, better stuff and walking through a new door… and the big question now is, ‘Was that your last fight at 145?’ You guys saw me touch upon it in the press conference, and I can honestly say I think I’m done with 145…I had to give up ramen for my ’45 camps. So I’m done with that. I don’t ever want to give up ramen again. 155, here we come and 155 is where I want to stay. This is a new chapter.
Max Holloway via his Official YT channel (@maxholloway)
Holloway expressed his excitement about diving into the physical transformation of the move-up. He admitted he could never fully commit in his previous divisional appearances, knowing there were featherweight fights in his future. But, cutting weight the right way, he proved what he can do at the milestone UFC 300 PPV. Max Holloway is all in for a move north, and for good reason.
Max says he’s done with FW👀
YT/ @BlessedMMA pic.twitter.com/BKhIqwevzb
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) November 2, 2024
Now that Ilia Topuria has solidified himself as the best featherweight, he is open to running things back with Alexander Volkanovski as well. 0-3 against Volk, it would be very hard for “Blessed” to work his way back towards a 145-pound title shot next year. Red-hot Diego Lopes also wants in on his promised crack at gold. So, ‘Blessed’ is officially taking his skills to the stacked lightweight division.
Alexander Volkanovski says it was his idea to enter the UFC 308 Cage, ready to fight Ilia Topuria in Spain
Alexander Volkanovski has called dibs on the 145-pound title shot opportunity. The fan-fave Aussie went the extra mile (or maybe a few more steps) to get into the cage and dap up with Ilia Topuria after the win. Minutes after UFC 308‘s main event broadcast saw Topuria KO Max Holloway, Volk entered the cage. They shook on it, and Topuria even promised that if anyone deserved a shot back at gold, it was him.
The former UFC top pound-for-pound and featherweight kingpin Volk said the idea should be seen next to the freshly victorious Topuria. Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) announced himself big and let it be known who the next challenger was.
I told the UFC I wanted to go in, …I’m like, ‘Mate, I’ve been respectful. I’ve been getting along. I’ve been hugging his family the whole time. We’re good. I’m going to go in there, give him his moment, but at the same time let everyone know what we’re doing, just build that fight up a little bit.
Alexander Volkanovski to ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto
Volkanovski also thinks UFC champion Ilia Topuria has the power to put anyone away – at featherweight and lightweight. He has watched the script closely as he heals and gears up. He even thinks that Topuria might be unable to hold down Islam Makhachev but can knock him down and catch on his feet. Volk is thus eager to sharpen his tools and be the all-around pound-for-pound challenge he himself was.
Volkanovski has been on a lay-off since losing his featherweight title to Topuria at UFC 298 in February. He appears to have got UFC CEO Dana White to agree to an immediate rematch following UFC 308. However, Topuria and his team are not keen on fighting at UFC 312 on 8 February in Sydney.
